When considering a resource consent application we consider how the activity affects people's use and enjoyment of the environment.
We also look at whether effects are localised or if they affect the wider environment.
Consulting with affected people
When consulting with people affected by your proposal, it is useful to find out:
- whether they are likely to support or oppose your proposal
- if any issues they might have can be resolved by you
- whether they will provide their written approval for your proposal.
If all the people who are likely to be affected by your proposal provide written approval, your application may be able to be processed without notification. This can speed up the consent process and minimise cost.
Although you are not required to consult, it can be beneficial to do so. Consultation does not mean agreement and even after consultation, there can still be unresolved issues. This does not prevent you from submitting your resource consent application.
Who to consult
You should consult with anyone who could be potentially affected by your proposal, including:
- adjacent landowners or occupiers
- Tangata whenua (local iwi/hapu authorities)
- other users of the resource
- anyone else affected by your proposal.
When to consult
The timing is up to you, but you should consider consulting at the earliest opportunity. This gives affected people the chance to consider your proposal. Also, consider consulting more than once as your proposal develops and is refined.